Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is the perfect chicken dinner recipe where you’ll learn how to make the best Air Fryer fried chicken that’s golden brown and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and full of flavour! This is a healthier alternative to deep fried chicken without compromising the crunch or taste and without all the hot oil and grease!

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Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Who doesn’t love a good piece of hot steamy fried chicken! This is one of my favourite foods to indulge in every now and again. However, since purchasing an air fryer I’m able to enjoy this chicken recipe just a tad more, considering the healthier method of preparing the dish! It’s a win-win if you ask me. Here are some other reasons why I love this recipe:

• It’s tender and juicy on the inside, crispy and crunchy on the outside.
• A healthier alternative to traditional deep fried chicken.
• Quick and easy recipe with very little clean-up of oil and grease.
• Air Fryers are simple to use – fill the basket, set time and temperature, and cook.

What is an Air Fryer?

An Air Fryer is a countertop convection oven that essentially mimics the results of deep fried foods, without the need for litres of oil and grease. Air fryers prepare foods with high temperature hot air, little or no oil and a high-powered fan resulting in food that’s super crispy and equally delicious!

How to Use an Air Fryer in 3 Simple Steps

Learning to use a new appliance can be very intimidating, however here are 3 simple steps on how to use an Air Fryer:

1. Place Food in Basket – depending on your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Also, you may or may not need to spray your basket or food with a high-smoke point neutral oil to help get your food nice and crispy on the outside.
2. Set the Temperature & Time – most air fryers have a range of pre-programmed settings from fries to chicken, pizza and cupcakes feel free to use these. Typically, the range of time is from 5 minutes to 25 minutes, and from 325°F to 400°F.
3. Cook – this process is very hands off, although for some recipes you may be required to flip or turn the food halfway through the cooking process.
4. Clean Up – this is a very easy step as most air fryer baskets has a non-stick coating that will make for an easy clean-up.

Air Fryer: Best Practices & Tips

1. Preheat your Air Fryer – not always necessary, however a great step to help prevent foods from overcooking. If your air-fryer doesn’t have a preheat option; set to the desired temperature and allow it to run for around 3 minutes before placing your food inside.
2. Don’t use Aerosol Oil Spray Cans – which often times contain additives like propellants and other agents that are said to chip away at air fryer baskets over time. Instead, opt for a oil mister or spray bottle and fill with a neutral oil that has a high smoke point.
3. Do Not Overcrowd the Basket – to get that golden crispy exterior, air fryers circulate high temperature hot air around the unit in which you want to pass all sides of your food. Work in batches if needed, or opt for a larger air fryer.
4. Add Water – to the air fryer drawer when cooking fatty foods (like bacon) to prevent smoking.
5. Shake, Turn, Flip – the food in basket a few times or at the halfway point during cooking to make sure everything is browning and crisping up evenly.

What Makes the Perfect Air Fryer Fried Chicken

• Golden Crispy Crunchy Exterior –  your chicken must be crispy crunchy on the outside with lots and lots of flavour.
• Tender and Juicy –  it must also be flavourful, steamy, tender and juicy on the inside.
• Flavourful – be generous with your seasoning, don’t skimp out on this step!

How to Make the Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer

1. Generously Spray Chicken in Oil – this will help the exterior crisp up to that crunchy golden brown colour we all love. Be sure to check that all surfaces of the chicken are coated with oil before cooking. Not spraying with oil will leave you with dried flour spots – not tasty.
2. Do Not Over Dredge – lighty coat the chicken in both the egg mixture and flour mixture, allowing time in-between for some of the flour to be absorbed and stick. If you have too thick of a coating, it has the tendency to fall off during the cooking process.
3. Ditch the Paper Towel – allow chicken to rest on a wire rack instead of using paper towels as it can cause the chicken to steam, which will turn the exterior crispiness, soggy.
4. Use A Thermometer – Timing varies depending on the brand. However, if you use a meat thermometer you can ensure your chicken has cooked through and has reached at minimum an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) is reached. Note, a temp of 180-185°F (82-85°C) is a widely accepted temp for chicken thighs.
5. Don’t Overcrowd – this will allow the air to circulate well to crisp up the exterior and give that nice crunchy golden texture and colour.

What You Need to Make Crispy Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer (Recipe Ingredients List)

Chicken & Seasoning

• Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Pieces
• All-Purpose Seasoning or Seasoning Salt
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Cayenne Pepper
• Paprika
• Dried Thyme
• Dried Oregano
• Salt
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

Breading

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Italian Seasoning
• Dried Parsley Flakes
• Paprika
• Cayenne Pepper
• Salt
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Egg Wash

Eggs
Milk or Buttermilk

How to Make Crispy Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer

Chicken – prepare chicken, pat dry with paper towels and set aside. In small bowl combine chicken seasonings; taste test for desired level of salt. Season chicken generously, until well coated and set aside to marinate for at least an hour to overnight. Overnight is recommended.
Breading – in a large bowl, whisk together breading ingredients. This is a key step; ensure your flour mixture is well seasoned. Add more seasoning (italian seasoning, all purpose/seasoning salt as needed).
Egg Wash – in another large bowl, whisk together eggs, and milk until combined.

Dredge & Coat Chicken – Carefully pat dry chicken (the seasoning should still stick), dredge or lightly coat the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag. Repeat for all chicken pieces, then transfer to a lined sheet pan with a wired rack and let rest for 5-7 minutes. Then, dip in egg mixture to coat, shake of excess, and dredge (lightly coat) chicken again in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag. Transfer back to the wired rack and let rest for 15 minutes.
Cook – Generously spray or carefully brush chicken with a neutral cooking oil ensuring all the flour is coated with oil. Place chicken in a preheated, and gently oiled air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
Remove – once cooked through or an internal temp of 165°F (75°C) is reached at minimum – see notes section. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Dredge Chicken for the Best Crispy Coating

Dredge chicken before frying to help give it that golden brown flavourful exterior we all love. It adds flavour and texture and one of the most important steps in fried chicken recipes. Here’s how you do it:

1. Carefully pat dry chicken (the seasoning should still stick), dredge or lightly coat the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag. Repeat for all chicken pieces.
2. Transfer to a lined sheet pan with a wired rack and let rest for 5-7 minutes.
3. Dip in egg mixture to coat, shake of excess, and dredge (lightly coat) chicken again in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag.
4. Transfer back to the wired rack and let rest for 15 minute before cooking.

How to Store and Reheat Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

It is best to serve this recipe on the same day. However should you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator you may choose to reheat in the oven to minimize the risk of burning the exterior of the fried chicken. Here’s what you need to do:

• Place chicken pieces on a lined baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven set to 350°F until warmed through around 8 to 10 minutes.

Crispy Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer Tips and Tricks

• Use a mixture of flour and cornstarch for the best possible crispy exterior.
• Marinate chicken overnight, for maximum depth of flavour.
• Spray or carefully brush chicken with oil to ensure all the flour is coated with oil.
• Use a paper bag or plastic bag to shake off excess flour
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces.

Try these Sides With Your Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

• Easy Jamaican Pigeon “Gungo” Peas and Rice
• Ultimate Twice Baked Loaded Potato Casserole
• Vegan Jamaican Bulgur Wheat & Peas (Rice & Peas Remix)
• Jamaican Rice and Peas
• Marbled Mash Potatoes (Sweet & Yukon Gold Potatoes)

Other Must-Try Chicken Recipes

Roasted Herb and Garlic Butter Spatchcock Chicken & Creamy Mushroom Chicken

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5 from 2 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

By: Taneisha Morris

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is the perfect chicken dinner recipe where you’ll learn how to make the best Air Fryer fried chicken that’s golden brown and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and full of flavour! This is a healthier alternative to deep fried chicken without compromising the crunch or taste and without all the hot oil and grease!

Ingredients 

• ▢ Chicken Seasoning
• ▢ 6-7 Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Pieces
• ▢ 1 tsp All-Purpose Seasoning or Seasoning Salt
• ▢ 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Onion Powder
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper, more to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp Paprika
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Salt
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
• ▢ Breading
• ▢ 1 cup Flour
• ▢ 1/4 cup Cornstarch
• ▢ 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• ▢ 1 tbsp Dried Parsley Flakes
• ▢ 3 tsp Paprika
• ▢ 2 tsp Cayenne Pepper, more or less to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp Salt, more or less to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• ▢ Egg Wash
• ▢ 3 Eggs
• ▢ 4 tbsp Milk or Buttermilk

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Instructions 

• Prepare chicken, pat dry with paper towels and set aside. In small bowl combine chicken seasonings; taste test for desired level of salt. Season chicken generously, until well coated and set aside to marinate for at least an hour to overnight. Overnight is recommended.
• In a large bowl, whisk together breading ingredients. This is a key step; ensure your flour mixture is well seasoned. Add more seasoning (italian seasoning, all purpose/seasoning salt as needed).
• In another large bowl, whisk together eggs, and milk until combined.
• Carefully pat dry chicken (the seasoning should still stick), dredge or lightly coat the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag. Repeat for all chicken pieces, then transfer to a lined sheet pan with a wired rack and let rest for 5-7 minutes. Then, dip in egg mixture to coat, shake of excess, and dredge (lightly coat) chicken again in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess in a brown paper bag or plastic bag. Transfer back to the wired rack and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Generously spray or carefully brush chicken with a neutral cooking oil ensuring all the flour is coated with oil. Place chicken in a preheated, and gently oiled air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 18-25 minutes on 375°F (190°C), flipping at the halfway point.
• Remove once cooked through or an internal temp of 165°F (75°C) is reached at minimum – see notes section. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Check chicken doneness when a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) is reached. Note, a temp of 180-185°F (82-85°C) is a widely accepted temp for chicken thigh doneness.

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